Rho's Diary

RhoRho said:
Sometimes I wonder if they think that I lack willpower (or else I wouldn't have let myself get so fat in the first place) which is why they keep pushing and pushing..:D I DID post the new workout on the harsh truth forum and HAHA! I was right! Leigh herself responded, and said that while the supersets are a standard part of a good workout, they're usually used more for those people who want to shift the last few pounds, not for someone who's got a truckload to lose like me. She's said she'll post up some alternative workouts, which I'm more than happy to go over with the personal trainer (I'm sure she won't like me very much after this...:( ) I ended up having the flapjack last night and I enjoyed every morsel of it. I'll never take a flapjack for granted again..
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LOL that's so cute about the flapjack. It's great you enjoyed it, I've been treating myself to cheddar cheese lately, and I've been able to control it as well. It's a great feeling to be able to indulge occasionally without going nuts. I'm watching your thread in the harsh truth forum, I'm interested to see what everyone says. I am finding it really interesting. I wonder what the pt thought of me as well when we had our first session. He asked me to rate my level of commitment on a scale of 1-10...when I said 10, I could tell he obviously didn't care/believe me. I'm thrilled that you're going to bring it up with the trainer, I think it's brave and also shows exactly how determined you are to do this properly ;)

Christina, I agree. I think a workout should be intense, and I'm no stranger to hard work. I reckon I should get the best out of my time at the gym. But I like to know that I'm doing the most effective workout, and I'm not just working out for the mere sake of it, which is what I suspected with this new plan. The fact that the PT put me back onto machines when I wanted to progress onto free weights is what mostly bothered me, because I think that working with free weights gives the most effective workouts. As Steve says, 'machines lock you into an unnatural plane of movement', which I'm seeking to avoid. I'm waiting to see what alternative workouts Leigh suggests, and then I'll take these to the PT and ask her to go over them with me.. Hopefully she'll say yes and won't hate me forever...
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She should be glad you're questioning your workouts and eager to learn, if she's not, then she's certainly not a good trainer.

On a slightly different note, my dissertation is killing me. I feel so depressed it's stifling! I know it'll pass with time, but now I understand what the university meant by giving me a health warning at the start. I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze of literature and words and there is no fun in my life! I can't wait till Saturday when I'm out hiking - these are rapidly proving my happiest memories, and I'm not kidding! I've sent a list to my participating friends of what to bring, etc, so if they show up, great. If not, oh well, I'll just do a longer hike on my own. Ok, that's my little breather. I'm off back to the library..oh fun :rolleyes:
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I'd love to know what your dissertation is about ;) if it's not a secret that is!
 
Hey Sara!

You changed your avatar pic! Is that you?! Really sweet smile...awww, but then I always knew you were a pretty lass..

That flapjack was just what I needed. It's great when you finally indulge just a bit.. go in, then pull back. I love the control element of it :D I've just had a look at the harsh truth section and whoa! From hardly any responses to quite a few!! I'm going over there to go through everything so I can develop a plan I can follow.. The main reason I want to bring it up with the PT is because I want her to show me how to do the exercises so I don't injure myself. And also, it'll be nice for her when I'm a success as she can use me as testimony to her hard work, y'know..maybe she'll get more personal training sessions then!

My dissertation...*sigh*...it's basically testing the combination of two different concepts within business - project management and sociotechnical design. Don't know if that makes any sense, but think of it this way - two groups of people each religiously believe that their way is right, but I haves suggested that actually both ways should be done together, and I now have to test this by getting the opinions of people from both sides. As I said, dunno if it makes any sense, but suffice it to say that both sides are really curious to see the outcome of my research, which puts pressure on me, cos I was sorta hoping to coast through nice and easy, which I guess is not to be :(

Ah well, end result and all that.. Just a month to go..
 
I just realised I hadn't updated on my exercise. I went to the gym last night and did a cardio workout for 70 minutes, burning 64 calories in the warm up, 616 in 60 minutes (the machine I used only goes up to 60 minutes), then 120 calories in 10 minutes (this was at level 12 though - phew that was hard..my legs and butt are feeling it today). So my total was 800 exactly. I feel good about that, cos it wasn't exactly a stressful workout. I took a book with me, which I read during the workout, and I watched the tvs while working out. I guess that means level 10 is becoming easier for me (cos it was only when I upped it to level 12 in the last 10 minutes that I felt the strain). So it's great to know that cardio can be ok, cos all this while I've been dreading it like mad.

Tomorrow's the big hike I'm planning with friends. Some rain has been predicted (which could mean anything from light showers to torrential downpour), but nothing's getting in the way of me and a good hike! I expected my friends to start giving excuses for their absence but so far they still seem really keen - one of them even said she was skipping a wedding to make sure she didn't miss it...and this is a girl that loves nothing more than a good party and dressing up! So maybe all this enthusiasm for hiking is paying off!

Ok, so that's my little post. The weather here's really funny today. It started off beautifully with blue skies, then within the blink of an eye it went so dark that you'd think a hurricane was on its way..then came the torrential downpour for a while, then the skies cleared again to give the lovely blue skies, as if trying to deceive one into thinking it didn't just p*ss it down. Not deceived though, and even as I speak the skies are darkening once more.. England weather for real..

I hope everyone else is having a lovely day
 
The dissertation sounds interesting but it certainly has gone over my head hahaha :rolleyes: computers/business/technology...I'm not good with any of that. It's great that you are though! Wish I was a bit more savvy.

Woooo 800 calories sounds like a stressful workout to me, good for you girl...and I hope you have a beautiful hike with your friends! I think it's wonderful they're on board for something like that, I can't wait to enjoy nature with my girls when I head home. Have a nice night! ;)
 
Rho, your workout girlfriend, DAMN!! That was a huge amount of exercise, I would say your really trying to get to the 100's and fast. PHEEWWW I got tired after reading all you did. WELL DONE!! Your weather sounds freaky, similar to our weather in Oklahoma. It can change in the blink of the eye here also! But, I'm happy to see that your still getting out and getting some FUN TIME in, we all need to do some of that every now and again. GOOD FOR YOU!! I hope your hike was a good one, and I hope the weather stayed clear while you were out. I'll check on you tomorrow. Good Night!
Kim
 
Hey you - I wanted to thank you for the rep you gave me - tha twas sweet of you - your weather sounds like British Columbia weather and especially Vancouver where I am :):):) I hope your hike goes well and no one backs out and the weather co-operates - once agian thanx for your sweet rep!!!
 
Hey guys.
Feels like I did a runner yet again, but it's just my dissertation deadline that got on top of me.:mad:

Sara, the hike went great! As is my usual style I got everyone lost for the first half hour, but it was nice and sunny and they were all in high spirits. Thankfully that was the only time we got lost. It rained bitterly during the hike but it didn't dampen spirits, so fantastic. I'll post up the link to the pics, both of this hike and the one from two weeks ago with the lavender fields etc... Oh, and I now realise I've missed your birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA DEAR!!

Kim, I'm so determined to be in the 100's by this Friday. Cardio is getting easier for me as well, so I might as well make use of it to burn major calories like you!

Cinderelly, you're very welcome :) The weather was bleurgh, but did we care! Did we heck - it was great being outdoors and soaking up the rain. I thought this kind of weather was restricted to England, but I guess not :)

It's been a few days since I posted, so quick update. Really busy working on dissertation, so next period of exercise was the hike itself on Saturday. It took 6 hours (longer than planned due to lateness, rain and breaks) but it went really well. I even had some cake that night to celebrate, and it tasted damn good. I regret nothing! But I remembered my goal of getting into the 100's, so I got my a&& into the gym on Sunday to burn 672 calories.

Today I went back, and did some weight training, after which I did 320 calories on the bike. I intend going tomorrow, resting on Wednesday, weight training on Thursday, cardio-ing on Friday, before doing my next hike on Saturday (never can get enough of them). By Friday I should be in the 100's, which would be oh so fantastic...

Anyhoo, if anyone's interested, here's some pics from some hikes:
 
Dude I love your pictures. Your friends seem really sweet Rho, that's so cool of you to post. I wish I could come on a hike! Great job with all of your exercise woman, I'm buzzing with anticipation for you to hit the 100's and say goodbye to 200's. So soon!!!!!!!
 
Aww, thanks Sara. I'm glad you liked the pics.. My friends liked it so much that they've asked me to create a 9 mile hiking club, and they've been recruiting people to go on the next planned hike! So I'm having to plan another one for end of August, which should be cool.. Well done on hitting the 24lb mark - you are doing so well and I'm so proud of you and all your hard work! I hope I have good news by Friday as well..
 
I think that's so cool, you've started something wonderful! Now that you've incorporated this passion for exploring, can you imagine ever going back to your previous lifestyle? I was thinking about that the other day and I seriously could not return to my former crappy lifestyle, I approach each day so differently now. I love it. And I'm positive you will have good news, staying on track is good news though and despite scale numbers, I appreciate every day I manage to do well. Thanks for always noticing each of my tiny successes by the way Rho, it means a lot ;)
 
You're SO right Sara - I was thinking about this yesterday actually as I sat in front of the PC working on my diss. I really couldn't imagine going back to how I was before. For one, I would be very unhappy, because all this exercise is relieving a WHOLE lot of stress for me, especially the hiking, which is so soothing.

It's great finding a better lifestyle and sticking to it - it gives a better purpose in life, I think, and helps you appreciate all the efforts that you make to be healthier. Oh, and your successes have not been tiny. Each pound lost, each inch lost is yet another motivation for me to remain on track :) Keep it up :)
 
Your pix are great Im glad all went well - your earings are cute - I liek them and that pic with your shade in it as you are taking a pic of the sign :):):) I liek random and different things like that - unique!!! It is also totally awesome that your friends want to do more of them !!!
 
Haha thanks Cinderelly - I like weirdish pictures too, and pictures that aren't posed. It's cool more people want to join - it's all great fun, although I still look forward to my solitary hikes :)

Li'l update before I go to bed. I did a cardio session in the gym today. 60mins on the stat. bike, burning 672 calories. I'm a little sore from yesterday's weight training workout, so I'm rather glad I can rest tomorrow. I've been invited to dinner by a friend so that should be good fun as well.

Only 2 more workouts before weigh-in on Friday...

Goodnight all. Hope you're all having a good week!
 
Fabulous job at the gym Rho, I hope you thoroughly enjoy your day off tomorrow evening, have fun, you deserve it my friend!
 
Rho you are doing a fantastic job!

I really enjoyed the walk pictures. I so wish I could joing your hiking club. Too bad the pond stands between us.

Isn't it annoying how the personal trainers think you should sell your soul in order to afford them? That really annoys me. I have been seeing a nutritionist and she seems to think money grows on trees. She would like for me to see her weekly at $60 a pop. No can do sister. So, everytime I go (once a month), its the same old crap, "you really should look into buyihg a package (starting at $500), yada yada yada." I :sleeping: of the same old song and dance.

I hope you are making progress on that dissertation. You should be so proud of yourself. That is a huge undertaking. When is it due?

Chin up. Keep pushing forward. You're gonna be in the 100's next week!:jump:
 
Hey everyone,

The dissertation's so on top of me that I'm forgetting my vocabulary.. It's all good though. Only one month to go.. My dinner last night went great (thanks Sara). It was a 4-course meal, and my friend really went all out. I'm really lucky to have such a sweet friend who just wants to be friends and nothing more :) :)

Hey SoontobeMrs, I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. I find that I need nature to maintain my sanity so the more trees and water the better.. And you're right about the personal trainers - they just don't seem to let up... Glorified salespeople, is what I say..


So today, I was working on my dissertation till late. I was so tired cos I haven't been sleeping well, and I was going to skip the gym today. I really was. I'd made up my mind to call today a rest day, but when I came home I thought I needed a mood lift, so I packed my bag and headed to the gym. It was good. I did a weight training session. I'm getting stronger. I followed the advice of Steve and Trevor M, and decided to up my weights, and I was amazed to see that I could handle it. On the bench press I'm up to 7kg on the dumbbells, which is just unbelievable considering I only just upped to 6kg. I still used the swiss ball for the squats, but with dumbbells of 5kg! I was so pleased about this, cos it was only last week that I was on 3kg (no really!).

Anyhow, by the time I finished my workout it was quite late, but I saw one of the personal trainers in the weights area, so I decided to ask him to teach me the techniques for the full squats and the military press. He seemed really willing to help, although he was a little sceptical about whether I could lift the barbell to do the squats. I guess he thought I was a weakling. Then I told him I already do bent over rows and he was like "Whoa, intense!". He wanted to lift the barbell onto my back but I reckoned I'd do it myself (cos I'll be doing the exercises myself!) so I lifted it (it was 20kg) and it wasn't as bad as I expected.

I looked out for the telltale signs of a bad squat (I studied Steve's instructions really carefully), so I was really pleased when I saw the PT doing the squat the right way. At first he didn't want to squat with his hips below his knees, but I asked him if he could go all the way down. Again, he looked surprised that I seemed to know what I was talking about, and he said that he thought maybe the full squat would be too difficult for me. So I did the squats myself and he just stood there, looking stunned. The gym had officially closed at this point but he didn't care. He asked me if I wanted to learn any other techniques, and I said yes, how about the military press. It was a lot easier than I expected - pretty much like the shoulder press, only with the barbell, and straight up, apparently.

So that's it. I feel much better about my weight training workouts. I look forward to doing the full squats at the next session.

Tomorrow's the day I weigh myself, and find out whether or not I've hit my target of 199. We'll see what happens...

I'm so shattered I'm dozing off. Goodnight all. I'll check diaries tomorrow :)
 
Can't wait to hear about the scale tomorrow, though the fact that you're getting so much stronger and in shape, it doesn't matter as much (but of course it matters so much to ourselves doesn't it).

I love the pics also. I always take the non-posing ones where I just click away at everyone; I get the real scene, who's talking to who, who's talking with their hands or laughing away.

Good day to you Rho (as I suppose you're sleeping now).
 
Rho I'm so happy you have increased your weights are feeling better for it. I personally think it's very brave to approach trainers in the gym and you asked great questions. In turn you gained well-deserved respect from the dude and learned the new techniques. I can't believe you took a rest day and turned it into an awesome workout, you're phenomenal my friend. I'm very excited to see what the scale says, I am so sure that you must have lost and are hopefully in the 100's. Good luck, and I hope you have a beautiful day today ;)
 
Rho, you so impress me every time I come to your diary. I want to say ONE THING! If your taking all those pictures, I hope whatever you do for a living has to do with picture taking, because girlfriend, YOU HAVE AN EYE!!! do you understand that??? Your eye for pictures BLOW ME AWAY!! your very talented, and if you don't do it for a living, you need to think about doing it for extra money or maybe make a hobby of it and use it to help yourself money wise, I tell you what besides the fact that the pictures of YOU are fantastic, but some of those picture, I would buy larger and frame for sure!! They are gorgeous!! I just wanted you to know I think you have talent. Keep up your hiking, it's just a wonderful thing to see and that others are enjoying your ventures with you. What a great friend you are!! You are going to get to ONEDERLAND Girl and I can't wait!
Kim
 
Hey guys,

Just got back from the gym and boo hoo to me. Not only have I NOT lost the 2lbs like I thought, but I've actually GAINED 1lb. I was a little upset when I saw that, but I quickly thought about all the other good things in my life. I'm getting stronger, fitter, and still losing inches.

But this pound gain. Does that mean that I ate 3500 calories surplus?! That doesn't make sense to me cos my eating hasn't been that bad, and I've worked out 6 days this week alone. For my own sake I hope it's muscle I gained, but somehow I don't think so. Ah well, a little setback to my plans. I won't let it faze me like last time. I've updated my ticker, even though it's just a tad irritating, but I've gotta be honest *grrr*
 
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